Sample storage system for pharmaceutical development

ABSTRACT

A pharmaceutical sample storage system in which the accommodation volume of a case is increased is disclosed and claimed. The molding of the storage rack is easy. The cases in the storage rack are locked in place and will not fall out even if the storage rack is turned upside down. Placing and removing cases from the storage rack is highly accurate. The sample storage system is sealed and the storage rack vertically accommodates a plurality of cases in a matrix. The cases are rectangular in cross-section and are hollow. The cases are tapered toward the bottom portion of the case and the outer surfaces of the cases are chamfered. The storage rack has a lower grate-shaped bottom portion which is partitioned by cross members. The bottom portion of the case being fitted into one partitioned portion of the grate-shaped bottom portion and has case supporting pins vertically provided upward from each intersection of gratings or cross members of the grated bottom portion.

This patent application claims priority of Japanese patent applicationNo. 2005-212690 filed Jul. 22, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sample storage system forpharmaceutical development used for identifying and storing a number ofsamples. Samples may be used in the field of wound medicine research.The present invention relates to a sample storage system forpharmaceutical development wherein cases in which samples forpharmaceutical development are sealed and placed in a storage rack. Thestorage rack vertically stores a plurality of sample storage cases in amatrix.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

In the field of wound medicine research, for example, the storage andtransportation of a storage rack has been carried out by sealing orencapsulating a sample-dissolved solution into a cylindrical case calleda microtube. The storage rack accommodates a plurality of microtubespartitioned in a matrix, for example partitioned in a matrix with 8columns and 12 rows for handling 96 microtubes. The microtrubes areprovided in a vertically oriented manner as shown in FIG. 9(a). Further,to accommodate smaller microtubes, for instance, ultramicrotubes in thesame size storage rack they may be partitioned in a matrix with 16columns and 24 rows to handle 384 ultramicrotubes as shown in FIG. 9(b).See for example, Patent Reference 1 which is Japanese Laid-Open PatentPublication No. 2000-4070 (page 11, lines 1 to 20, FIG. 6). Also, seePatent Reference 2 which is Japanese Patent No. 3421252 (page 2,paragraph 5, FIG. 1)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Since the above-mentioned conventional ultramicrotube has a shape inwhich the bottom surface size is reduced to substantially ¼ the size ofa standard microtube, the capacity of samples is also decreased so theremust be a way to effectively utilize the space available. Further, sincethe dimensions of the grate of the storage rack are small, it isdifficult to mold the storage rack.

Since the cases are inserted into a square partitioned portion of agrate in a storage rack, when the storage rack is turned upside down,the cases fall out. If this happens then there is an enormous loss ofsamples. Further, to reduce the cost of manufacturing the storage racks,the storage rack frame has a dimensional accuracy less than agrate-shaped bottom portion of the storage rack which is formed insidethe storage rack frame. Accordingly, a problem of lowered pickingaccuracy has been pointed out.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide apharmaceutical sample storage system in which the accommodation volumeof a case for the sample is increased, the molding of the storage rackis easy, the case does not fall out even if the storage rack is turnedupside down and the picking of the case from the storage rack isperformed with high accuracy and efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

The invention provides a pharmaceutical sample storage system for casesin which samples are sealed therein and stored vertically in a storagerack accommodating a plurality of cases arranged in a matrix. The casesare rectangular in cross-section and hollow. The cases are taperedtoward the bottom portion of the case and the corner portions of theouter surfaces of the cases are chamfered. The storage rack has a lowergrate-shaped bottom portion partitioned inside a rack frame. The bottomportion of the case is fitted into one partitioned portion of thegrate-shaped bottom portion. Supporting pins extend vertically upwardfrom each intersection of gratings of the grated bottom portion. Bygratings it is meant the cross members which form the partitions.

It is noted that the chamfered corner portions of the cases in thepresent invention means a so-called C chamfering in which a rightangular corner portion is corner-cut at an angle of 45°. And a lowergrate-shaped bottom portion means that it has substantially the samelevel of a side wall of the bottom portion of the case. Further, thecase in the present invention means a microtube or the like in which asample for a wound medicine is sealed. The cases are available for usewith other medicines and with other substances other than medicines. Thecase may be one of 384 cases which can be accommodated in a matrix with16 columns and 24 rows. A conventional storage rack includes 96 casesarranged in a matrix with 8 columns and 12 rows.

The invention in addition to the configuration already described furtherincludes protrusions extending from inner side surfaces of thepartitions which form the grate-shaped bottom portion. The partitionsare formed by cross members which include inner side surfaces. The innerside surfaces are provided with case locking protrusions. A case lockingconcave portion is provided in each of the side walls of the bottomportion of the case. The case locking protrusions and case lockingconcave portions are fitted to each other when the case is inserted inthe storage rack.

The invention further includes case supporting pins which may be eithercircular or square in cross-section. The invention further includessupporting pins whose taper is thinner toward the tip portion.

The invention further includes a molded grate-shaped bottom portionhaving a dimensional accuracy higher than the storage rack frame. Thegrate-shaped bottom portion includes first and second orientingprotrusions which are located on orthogonal walls or perpendicularwalls. The first and second orienting protrusions are orthogonal orperpendicular and are used in conjunction with actuators and fixing jigsto accurately position the storage rack relative to these highlyaccurate orienting protrusions. The orienting protrusions are sometimesreferred to herein as positioning protrusions.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a pharmaceutical sample storage system which includes aplurality of cases containing a plurality of samples which are sealedand vertically stored in a storage rack. The storage rack and the casesare arranged in a matrix. The cases are rectangularly shaped incross-section and are hollow. The cases are tapered toward their bottomportions and are chamfered on the corner portions of the outer surfacesof the cases. The storage rack has a lower grate-shaped bottom portionpartitioned in a grate manner inside the storage rack frame. The bottomportion of the case is fitted into one partition of the grated bottomportion. The grate-shaped bottom portion includes case supporting pinsprovided vertically upward from each of the intersection of gratings(sometimes herein the grating are referred to as cross members) of thegrated bottom portion. High partitioning walls do not exist in thestorage rack and the cross-section of the case area is increased aslarge as possible by chamfering the corners of the rectangularly-shapedin cross-section case. Thus the volume of sample per case can beincreased.

The invention includes partitions which form the grate-shaped bottomportion. The partitions are made up of cross members which form a gridor a grate. Each cross member includes an inner side surface thereofwhich includes case locking protrusions on each inner side of each crossmember. Each case includes side walls and a bottom portion of the sidewalls include case locking concave portions therein which interengagethe protrusions of the inner side surface of the cross members whichform the partitions. The interengagement of the protrusions of the crossmembers of the partitions which form the grate-shaped bottom portion ofthe storage rack with the concavities in the bottom portions of thecases prevents the cases from falling out of the storage rack even whenthe storage rack is turned upside down. This results in saving thesamples and keeping them in order as they are stored in the storage rackin order to facilitate further use of them.

Case supporting pins which extend vertically from the bottom portion ofthe storage rack are circular or square in cross-section. The samplecases include chamfered corner portions so as to efficiently house fourcases adjacent a particular supporting pin. Thus, the volume or spaceavailable for the cases in a given storage rack is increased and moresamples can be stored because more cases can be stored in the storagerack.

Case supporting pins are tapered such that they are thinner toward thetip portion of the pin as they extend away from the bottom portion ofthe case. Tapered pins and cases having chamfered corners enable theeasy insertion of the case into the storage rack.

The grate-shaped bottom portion is molded to a dimensional accuracy ortolerance which is higher than the dimensional tolerance or accuracy ofthe storage rack frame. Positioning or orienting protrusions extend fromtwo sides of the grate-shaped bottom portion. The two sides areperpendicular to each other and the positioning of the storage rack canbe facilitated at high accuracy with respect to the dimensionallyaccurate grate-shaped bottom portion of the storage rack in spite of thefact that the outermost surface of the storage rack has poor dimensionalaccuracy. The dimensional accuracy of the grate-shaped bottom portion ofthe storage rack determines the ultimate positioning of the cases sothat they may be removed or inserted into the rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views of a storage rack in apharmaceutical sample storage system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the storage rack through the line2-2 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the storage rack through the line3-3 shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views of a case having a lockingcircular recess used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a case having a locking horizontalgroove portion used in the present invention.

FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are perspective views showing case supportingstructure including case supporting pins each having a circularcross-section.

FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are perspective views showing case supportingstructure including case supporting pins each having a squarecross-section.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a storage rack positioningstructure according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional microtube and astorage rack.

The drawings will be better understood when reference is made to theDescription Of The Invention and Claims which follow hereinbelow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Next a pharmaceutical sample storage system according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to drawings. FIG. 1(a) showsa perspective view of a storage rack for vertically accommodating aplurality of cases in which samples for pharmaceutical development aresealed. FIG. 1(b) shows an enlarged portion of FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2 shows across-sectional view through line 2-2 of FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 3 shows across-sectional view through line 3-3 of FIG. 1(a).

A storage rack 100 in the present invention includes a lowergrate-shaped bottom portion. The grate-shaped bottom portion includespartitions inside a rack frame 110 forming the outer frame of thestorage rack 100 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Cases 200, 300 include bottomportions 230, 330. Bottom portion side walls 230, 330 of cases 200, 300(shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) are respectively fitted into a partitionedportion of the grate-shaped bottom portion 120 as shown in FIGS. 6 and7. Further, case supporting pins 130, 140 are vertically provided andextend upwardly from the respective intersections of cross members ofthe grate-shaped bottom portions 120. The gratings or cross members formthe partitions.

It is noted that in FIGS. 4(a) and 5(a) broken lines illustrate theinterior of the cases in perspective views. FIGS. 4(b) and 5(b)illustrate the cases in perspective views. Case supporting pins 130 areshown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). Case supporting pins are circular incross-section and are tapered thinner as they extend upwardly as viewedin FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). Case supporting pins 140 shown in FIGS. 7(a) and7(b) are square in cross-section and are tapered thinner as they extendupwardly. Cross-sectional views taken along the lines b-b of FIGS. 6(a)and 7(a) are shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 7(b) respectively.

It is noted that when the grate position (i.e., partition) numbers areprovided on the top surfaces of case supporting pins 130, 140 and/ornear the respective grate intersections of the grate-shaped bottomportions 120, an operator can easily identify the positions (i.e.,partition) for inserting or removing a case from the position(partition) of interest. Further, other cross-sectional shapes of thecase supporting pins may be used and may constitute any polygonalcross-sectional shape including, for example, a star shape, a circularshape and a square shape.

Cases 200, 300 in the present invention have rectangular cross-sectionalshapes and are hollow as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The cases are taperedtoward the bottom portions thereof. Additionally the corner portions ofthe outer surfaces of cases 200, 300 are chamfered at an angle of 45°,that is, they are subjected to so-called C chamfering. When a square incross-section shaped case is used in conjunction with supporting pin140, each case supporting pin 140 is vertically provided so that a sidesurface of the case supporting pin 140 abuts or is in proximity to achamfered surface of the case 200 (300) as shown in FIG. 7(a) Thechamfered surfaces are denoted by reference numerals 220, 320 in FIGS. 4and 5.

The inner side surfaces of cross members (gratings) forming thegrate-shaped bottom portion 120 are provided with case lockingprotrusions 126 as shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), 7(a) and 7(b). Side wallbottom portions 230, 330 of cases 200, 300 are respectively providedwith case locking concave portions as shown in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a)and 5(b). Case 200 in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) include circular recesses 240as the case locking concave portions. The circular recesses are providedat an intermediate location which can be generally described as thecenter of each surface of the bottom portion side wall 230. Case 300 inFIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) illustrate a horizontal extending groove portion 340as the case locking concave portion. The horizontally extending grooveportion is provided at an intermediate location which can be generallydescribed as the center of each surface of the bottom portion side wall330. And as shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), 7(a) and 7(b) when cases 200, 300are accommodated (placed) into the storage racks 100, the case lockingprotrusion portions 126 provided on the inner side surfaces of each sideof the cross members of the grate-shaped bottom portions 120 are fittedinto the circular recesses 240 of the case 200 or the horizontal grooveportions 340 of the case 300, so that the case 200, 300 is preventedfrom falling out of the rack.

It is noted that structure for preventing a case or cases from fallingout of a storage rack includes case locking concave portions provided onthe cases themselves. The case locking concave portion coacts withprotrusions on cross members of grate-shaped bottom portions of thestorage rack. Case locking protrusions are provided on the inner sidewall of cross members (gratings) of the case.

Also, case locking concave portions may be provided on upper portions ofthe case and the corresponding case locking protruded portions areprovided on side surfaces of the case supporting pins, and the like maybe considered.

Next, a storage rack positioning method in a pharmaceutical samplestorage system according to the present invention will be described. Astorage rack is generally manufactured by resin molding and theoutermost surface of the storage rack, that is a rack frame 110 in thepresent invention, has poor dimensional accuracy. The grate-shapedbottom portion 120 and the case supporting pins 130, 140 extendingtherefrom are important and are accurately molded by using another moreaccurate mold. Therefore, it is necessary to position the storage rackbased on the grate-shaped bottom portions.

Thus as shown in FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 3 the present invention has astructure that positions protruded portions 122, 124 extending from thegrate-shaped bottom portion 120 on two surfaces of the grate-shapedbottom portion 120 perpendicular to each other in such a manner that thepositioning protruded portions 122, 124 extend from the rack frame 110.See, FIG. 3 wherein protrusion 124 is illustrated as being formed withand molded with grate shaped bottom portion 120. As shown in FIG. 8 afixing jig 400 abuts the exposed positioning (orienting) protrudedportions 122, 124 (positioning or orienting protrusions) and theremaining two surfaces of the grate-shaped bottom portion 120 are heldby actuators 420 so that the positioning of the storage rack can beattained based on the accurate dimensions of the grate-shaped bottomportion of the storage rack. The protrusions 122, 124 provide orthogonalreference surfaces to position the grate-shaped bottom portion 120against fixing jig 400 illustrated in FIG. 8. thus locating all of thehighly accurate partitions in a highly accurate manner.

It is noted that in the present invention positioning protruded portions122, 124 have good dimensional accuracy enabling accurate positioning ofthe grate-shaped portions 120 as described and shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Alternatively in an embodiment not shown in the drawings, insertionholes (openings) may be provided on two side surfaces of the rack framewhich are perpendicular and which are not dimensionally accurate.Orienting and protruding portions of fixing jigs are inserted into theinsertion holes (openings) and the orienting protrusions are urged intoengagement with a fixing jig positioning the grate-shaped bottom of thestorage rack. Essentially, in this embodiment the fixing jig includesprotrusions which engage the dimensionally accurate grate shaped bottomportion.

In the present invention the head portions of the cases are open andthese cases are accommodated into a storage rack. Then when the casesare stored and transported an aluminum thin film sheet is adhered to anopening portion of each case by heating deposition. The thin aluminumfilm sheet is then cut to seal the case.

The present invention accommodates 384 ultramicrotubes while using thesame size storage rack which usually accommodates 96 conventionalmicrotubes. Additionally, dead space occupied by partition walls isminimized or eliminated and the capacity of the tube case is increased.Thus, the present invention has significantly high industrialapplicability in fields other than the field of pharmaceuticaldevelopment.

Description of Reference Numerals

100 . . . Storage rack

110 . . . Rack frame

120 . . . Grating-shaped bottom portion

122, 124 . . . Positioning protruded portion

126 . . . Case locking protruded portion

130, 140 . . . Case supporting pin

200, 300 . . . Case

220, 320 . . . Chamfered surface

230, 330 . . . Bottom portion side wall

240 . . . Case locking concave portion (circular recess)

340 . . . Case locking concave portion (horizontal groove portion)

400 . . . Fixing jig

420 . . . Actuator

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the invention hasbeen set forth by way of example only and that changes and modificationsmay be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth below in the appended claims.

1. A pharmaceutical sample storage system comprising cases in whichsamples for pharmaceutical development are sealed, a storage rack framefor storing a plurality of said cases in a matrix, characterized in thateach of said cases is hollow and rectangularly-shaped in cross-section,each of said cases include a bottom portion, each of said cases istapered toward said bottom portion of said case, each of said casesincludes outer corner portions which are chamfered, and, said storagerack has a lower grate-shaped bottom portion, said grate-shaped bottomportion formed into partitions, said grate-shaped bottom portionincludes supporting pins extending upwardly therefrom, said bottomportions of each of said cases being fitted into a respective partitionof said grated bottom portion and between said upwardly extendingsupporting pins.
 2. A pharmaceutical sample storage system according toclaim 1, characterized in that each of said partitions of saidgrate-shaped bottom portion include protrusions, each of said casesinclude corresponding locking concave portions, and said protrusions ofeach said partition interengaging said corresponding locking concaveportions of each of said cases securing said cases.
 3. A pharmaceuticalsample storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that saidcase supporting pins are circular in cross-section.
 4. A pharmaceuticalsample storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that saidcase supporting pins are square in cross-section.
 5. A pharmaceuticalsample storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that saidcase supporting pins are circular in cross-section.
 6. A pharmaceuticalsample storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that saidcase supporting pins are square in cross-section.
 7. A pharmaceuticalsample storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that saidcase supporting pins include a tip portion and said case supporting pinsare tapered thinner toward the tip portion.
 8. A pharmaceutical samplestorage system according to claim 2, characterized in that said casesupporting pins include a tip portion and said case supporting pins aretapered thinner toward the tip portion.
 9. A pharmaceutical samplestorage system according to claim 3, characterized in that said casesupporting pins include a tip portion and said case supporting pins aretapered thinner toward the tip portion.
 10. A pharmaceutical samplestorage system according to claim 4, characterized in that said casesupporting pins include a tip portion and said case supporting pins aretapered thinner toward the tip portion.
 11. A pharmaceutical samplestorage system according to claim 5, characterized in that said casesupporting pins include a tip portion and said case supporting pins aretapered thinner toward the tip portion.
 12. A pharmaceutical samplestorage system according to claim 6, characterized in that said casesupporting pins include a tip portion and said case supporting pins aretapered thinner toward the tip portion.
 13. A pharmaceutical samplestorage system according to claim 1, characterized in that saidgrate-shaped bottom portion is molded with a higher degree of accuracythan said storage rack frame, a first and second storage rackpositioning protrusions extending from first and second perpendicularsides of said grate-shaped bottom portion, and, an actuatorinterengaging said first and second positioning protrusions extendingfrom said first and second perpendicular side of said grate-shapedbottom portion positioning said storage rack frame such that said casesmay be easily and accurately removed from and inserted into said storagerack frame.
 14. A pharmaceutical sample storage system according toclaim 2, characterized in that said grate-shaped bottom portion ismolded with a higher degree of accuracy than said storage rack frame, afirst and second storage rack positioning protrusions extending fromfirst and second perpendicular sides of said grate-shaped bottomportion, and, an actuator interengaging said first and secondpositioning protrusions extending from said first and secondperpendicular side of said grate-shaped bottom portion positioning saidstorage rack frame such that said cases may be easily and accuratelyremoved from and inserted into said storage rack frame.
 15. Apharmaceutical sample storage system according to claim 3, characterizedin that said grate-shaped bottom portion is molded with a higher degreeof accuracy than said storage rack frame, a first and second storagerack positioning protrusions extending from first and secondperpendicular sides of said grate-shaped bottom portion, and, anactuator interengaging said first and second positioning protrusionsextending from said first and second perpendicular side of saidgrate-shaped bottom portion positioning said storage rack frame suchthat said cases may be easily and accurately removed from and insertedinto said storage rack frame.
 16. A pharmaceutical sample storage systemaccording to claim 4, characterized in that said grate-shaped bottomportion is molded with a higher degree of accuracy than said storagerack frame, a first and second storage rack positioning protrusionsextending from first and second perpendicular sides of said grate-shapedbottom portion, and, an actuator interengaging said first and secondpositioning protrusions extending from said first and secondperpendicular side of said grate-shaped bottom portion positioning saidstorage rack frame such that said cases may be easily and accuratelyremoved from and inserted into said storage rack frame.
 17. Apharmaceutical sample storage system according to claim 5, characterizedin that said grate-shaped bottom portion is molded with a higher degreeof accuracy than said storage rack frame, a first and second storagerack positioning protrusions extending from first and secondperpendicular sides of said grate-shaped bottom portion, and, anactuator interengaging said first and second positioning protrusionsextending from said first and second perpendicular side of saidgrate-shaped bottom portion positioning said storage rack frame suchthat said cases may be easily and accurately removed from and insertedinto said storage rack frame.
 18. A pharmaceutical sample storage systemaccording to claim 6, characterized in that said grate-shaped bottomportion is molded with a higher degree of accuracy than said storagerack frame, a first and second storage rack positioning protrusionsextending from first and second perpendicular sides of said grate-shapedbottom portion, and, an actuator interengaging said first and secondpositioning protrusions extending from said first and secondperpendicular side of said grate-shaped bottom portion positioning saidstorage rack frame such that said cases may be easily and accuratelyremoved from and inserted into said storage rack frame.
 19. Apharmaceutical sample storage system according to claim 7, characterizedin that said grate-shaped bottom portion is molded with a higher degreeof accuracy than said storage rack frame, a first and second storagerack positioning protrusions extending from first and secondperpendicular sides of said grate-shaped bottom portion, and, anactuator interengaging said first and second positioning protrusionsextending from said first and second perpendicular side of saidgrate-shaped bottom portion positioning said storage rack frame suchthat said cases may be easily and accurately removed from and insertedinto said storage rack frame.
 20. A pharmaceutical sample storage systemaccording to claim 8, characterized in that said grate-shaped bottomportion is molded with a higher degree of accuracy than said storagerack frame, a first and second storage rack positioning protrusionsextending from first and second perpendicular sides of said grate-shapedbottom portion, and, an actuator interengaging said first and secondpositioning protrusions extending from said first and secondperpendicular side of said grate-shaped bottom portion positioning saidstorage rack frame such that said cases may be easily and accuratelyremoved from and inserted into said storage rack frame.